Irene Davì is a Forestry Officer of the Arma dei Carabinieri, part of a specialized force of nearly 7,000 men and women dedicated to protecting Italy’s environment. Every day, she and her colleagues confront threats that endanger not only landscapes and wildlife but also the safety and health of communities.
Their mission is as broad as it is urgent: preventing deforestation and hydrogeological instability, combating forest fires and illegal waste trafficking, repressing agri-food fraud, and ensuring compliance with health regulations in livestock production chains. Each action is a vital step toward protecting biodiversity—the shield that guards against climate change, disease, and natural disasters.
The challenges are formidable. Waste trafficking and the exploitation of endangered species under the CITES convention attract highly organized criminal groups. Even the mafia has long infiltrated parts of the agri-food system, jeopardizing ecosystems and consumer trust alike. To respond, Irene and her colleagues employ cutting-edge technology and scientific expertise, carrying out complex investigations that safeguard both biodiversity and public interest.
But for Irene, the role of a Carabinieri forestry officer is not only about enforcement. It is also about education. She firmly believes that fostering environmental awareness—especially among the younger generation—is the most powerful way to nurture a culture of respect for nature. “Biodiversity is not just about plants and animals,” she often explains. “It is the foundation of life itself.”
The word bios, after all, meant “life” in ancient Greek. Today, that meaning carries through in the vital services ecosystems provide: clean air and water, fertile soils, psychological well-being, and the raw materials that sustain food production. A rich and balanced environment, Irene emphasizes, is the key to guaranteeing food security for present and future generations.
Through her work, Irene embodies what it means to be a true food hero—a guardian of forests, biodiversity, and life itself.
